Hyper Light Drifter Kickstarts Sumptuous Dungeon Crawler

Beats Target In One Day

It's Kickstarter pitch time again, folks, but this time I really don't need to write very much. Hyper Light Drifter promises to merge Diablo-style dungeon crawling with Zelda-inspired puzzle solving, all wrapped up in a gorgeous visual style and Disasterpiece soundtrack.

As you can see in the video, it's heartbreakingly beautiful... and has already beaten its funding target in 24 hours.

"Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with unknown dangers and lost technologies," reads the pitch. "Inspired by nightmares and dreams alike." As a 2D Action RPG in the vein of the best 8-bit and 16-bit classics, sporting loftier aspirations, Hyper Light Drifter will be a major undertaking by developer Alex Preston who's currently targeting a PC and Mac launch next summer. PS4 and Vita ports may be considered, but only if the budget stretches to it.

Feature list? You betcha.

Rip through enemies with responsive, fun combat; engaging and brutal. Upgrade weapons, discover new equipment and trek deeper than ever.

Traverse a dark, detailed and interconnected world with alternate paths and secret loot. Miyazaki films have taught me that beautiful animation and design add life to a world. From characters to background elements, everything is lovingly crafted while I hum show-tunes and squint suspiciously at the flickering pixels until they perform as intended.

A challenge - The game is accessible and easy to pick up, but difficult to master and complete; enemies and hazards become more vicious and numerous, so players must use clever tactics to avoid death. (Some yell hurtful phrases at players simply to bring tears to the cereal bowl below.)

So, basically, Hyper Light Drifter is happening. Will you contribute to the war chest?